Quick Details
Charters
4 Hour Charter
Departs @ 6:00am
$ 799
6 Hour Charter
Departs @ 6:00am
$ 999
8 Hour Charter
Departs @ 6:00am
$ 1199
Tour Rating
Advanced
This is hours of open ocean, miles past the reef, on an exposed coast. Even on a nice day, expect swell, wind, and a boat that never stops moving. Our captain reads conditions every morning and makes the call before we leave the harbor.
Book at your level. Check the rating and the local weather before you book. Be honest about your experience.
About the Charter
Bluewater off Hilo, your boat, your group. We leave at 6am and run 2 to 5 miles offshore, well past the reef edge, where mahimahi, ono, ahi, and marlin hunt the current lines. Hilo sees far less fishing pressure than Kona, so the water is wide open.
Your captain trolls the traditional Hawaiian way, working bird piles, color changes, floating debris, and bait. The crew runs the spread and coaches you through every strike.
Whatever you catch is yours.
Price & What’s Included
Private charter, priced per boat, up to 6 guests. All charters depart at 6am.
4 Hour Charter
$799
6 Hour Charter
$999
8 Hour Charter
$1,199
Charter Includes
- Captain, crew, and boat for your group
- Bent-butt trolling rods and two-speed big game reels
- Lures, bait, and tackle
- Coaching on every strike
- Snacks and drinks
- All required safety equipment
Keep Your Catch
Every legal fish you land goes home with you, at no extra cost. Large billfish may be released at the captain’s discretion to protect the fishery.
Want it ready to cook?
Add fish cleaning for $100. Our crew cleans and fillets your catch.
Catch to Table, +$300.
We send your catch to our partner, Hilo Siam Thai, and they cook it for your group. One $300 charge for the whole group, added to your HOA booking.
Not a full group?
Split the boat with another party on a shared charter.
Ready to hear the drag scream?
Pick your date and charter length. The whole boat is yours.
Pick Your Length
Same boat, same crew, same 6am start. More hours means more water covered and more chances at a big strike.
4 Hours
Back by 10am
A solid morning shot at mahimahi and ono. Good for first timers and anyone unsure about long hours offshore.
6 Hours
Back by noon
Time to run farther and work more of the grounds. The sweet spot for most groups.
8 Hours
Back by 2pm
The full day. Your best odds at ahi and marlin. For anglers who want to stay out until it happens.
Requirements & What to Bring
Requirements
- Ages 8 and up. Kids fish with a parent or guardian.
- Nonresidents 15 and up need a Hawaiʻi fishing license. See below.
- Comfortable spending hours on a moving boat in open ocean.
- Prone to seasickness? Take medication before the trip, not on the boat.
What to Bring
- Your fishing license, if you need one
- A sack lunch
- Hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen
- Light jacket or rain layer
- Non-slip deck shoes or sturdy sandals
- Reusable water bottle
- A cooler for your catch
- Phone in a waterproof case (we sell them at the shop)
Fishing license required for nonresidents.
Hawaiʻi requires a Nonresident Recreational Marine Fishing License for anyone 15 and older who is not a Hawaiʻi resident, including on charter boats. Active duty military and their families are exempt.
Buy it online at fishing.hawaii.gov before your trip. Our step by step guide walks you through it.
Charter Details
- Meet: Our slip at Wailoa Harbor. Free parking nearby. Directions come in your confirmation email.
- Check-in: 15 minutes before departure for your safety briefing.
- Departure: 6am.
- Length: 4, 6, or 8 hours.
- Distance: 2 to 5 miles offshore.
- Group size: Up to 6 guests, private to your group.
Gear We Use
Heavy-duty bent-butt trolling rods with professional two-speed big game reels, built for Hawaiian bluewater. We run multiple lines wide to cover as much water as possible.
What You Might Catch
Every day is different. These are the fish we chase offshore. For how each one fights and when it peaks, see our Hilo Fish Species Guide.
- Mahimahi (Dorado). Year-round, heaviest December through April.
- Ono (Wahoo). Year-round, strongest May through October.
- Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna). Year-round, peaking May through September.
- Marlin (Blue, Striped, and Black). Blue marlin peak June through October. Striped marlin show in winter.
Also out there: dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, and seabirds working the bait.
FAQs
I have never fished offshore. Is that okay?
Yes. Your crew sets the lines, watches the spread, and coaches you through every strike. You just have to reel.
Which length should I book?
Four hours for a first taste. Six for most groups. Eight if you want your best shot at ahi or marlin.
Do I get to keep my fish?
Yes. Every legal fish you catch is yours. Large billfish may be released at the captain’s discretion. Bring a cooler, or add fish cleaning for $100.
What is Catch to Table?
We send your catch to our partner restaurant, Hilo Siam Thai, and they cook it for your group. It is $300 total for the group, charged by us with your booking. The freshest dinner you will ever have.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for the whole boat, up to 6 guests. To split the cost with another group, book a shared charter.
Do I need a fishing license?
Nonresidents 15 and older do. Hawaiʻi residents and active duty military and their families do not. Buy it at fishing.hawaii.gov before your trip.
Will I get seasick?
Hours in open ocean make it more likely. If you are prone to it, take medication before the trip. It does not help once you are already sick.
What if the weather is bad?
Our captain makes the call before we leave the harbor. If it is not safe, we do not go, and we will work with you to reschedule.